Issues and Questions

Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) –peace be upon him - and the Controversy around the Da Vinci Code
By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (Al-Baqarah 2:136)
Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth Thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. (Al ‘Imran 3:45)
We believe in all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. We respect and honor all of them without any discrimination. We believe that all Prophets preached the message of Tawhid (monotheism) and all of them invited human beings to worship Allah alone and to live a righteous life. Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him - was not the only Prophet of God, but he was the last and final Prophet of God. Prophet Muhammad is not the founder of Islam; all Prophets submitted to God (Muslims) and followed the way of submission to God (Islam). We believe that Jesus was one of the great prophets of God. In the Qur’an he is called ‘Isa. He is also known as al-Masih (the Christ) and Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary). He has many other honorable names and titles in the Qur’an. He is a highly respected religious figure. Every Muslim believes in him, honors him and loves him. His mother is also highly respected, loved and honored. There are hundreds of thousands of Muslim men all over the world who feel proud and blessed to have the name ‘Isa; as there are thousands of Muslim women who feel honored and blessed to be called Maryam.
There is a big controversy going on all over the world at this time about Dan Brown’s novel known as The Da Vinci Code. This novel has become a big thriller and until now more than 45 million copies of it are sold. Today a movie is going to be released based on this novel. Many Christians, especially Catholics are outraged at this novel. In several countries Christians are protesting and asking their governments to ban the novel and its movie. Some Bishops and Cardinals referred to Danish cartoons against Prophet Muhammad and said that Muslims were angry with a few cartoons, we should be more angry with this book. Some Muslims and non-Muslims are asking our reaction to this book.
We as Muslims do not want to be known as people who react only when something wrong is done to the blessed name of our Prophet Muhammad only. We stand for the respect of all religious figures of all religions. Furthermore, Jesus – peace be upon him - is also a blessed Prophet to us. We believe in him and honor him. We also have something to say about this novel and movie.
There are two things that I would like to say about the Da Vinci Code and its movie. One is positive and the other is negative. The positive thing is that it says that for the first four centuries Jesus was known only as a Prophet of God, not God. At the Council of Nicea around the year 325 CE the Emperor Constantine and some Bishops with him changed the true teachings of Jesus. The Da Vinci Code also says that Jesus – peace be upon him - married one his female disciples Mary Magdalene and had children and his descendants still exist. Although the Qur’an does not say anything about Jesus’ marriage, his wife or children (nor does the New Testament), there is nothing wrong from the Islamic point of view if he was married and produced children. Allah says in the Qur’an:
We did send Messengers before thee, and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of a Messenger to bring a Sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed). (Hud 13:38)
Some Christians consider this a blasphemy. According to them to say that Jesus was married means that he was not God. Although they say that God had a son (na’udh billah); but they say that Jesus could not have a son. However, as Muslims we say that if he was not married then this does not make him God; because Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) who was Jesus’ contemporary was not married and no one considered him divine. Celibacy does not make any person divine. And if Jesus was married then this does not take away his honor because there were many prophets before him and after him who were married and had offspring. It is interesting to see a number of books produced today by Christian writers that also say that Jesus was not crucified and he never claimed to be “the Son of God.” This is what the Qur’an said long time ago.
There is, however, a negative side of the Da Vinci Code for which we as Muslims should criticize it. The Da Vinci code is a novel, a fiction. It has not presented facts about Jesus’ life in a serious and respectful manner. It has fictionalized his life and story and in this sense it has downgraded this great Messenger of Allah. The author of the Da Vinci Code took some historical facts and then spun a mystery story to thrill and chill his readers. God’s Prophets and His Messengers should not be treated in this manner. They are entitled to receive utmost honor and respect from us. It is for this reason that Islam forbids making pictures of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers and also forbids making fictitious stories and movies about them. Islam teaches us that we should present their Sirah (life and teachings) with great care, respect and utmost authenticity. The Prophet – peace be upon him- said:
Convey from me even it is one verse. Speak about Bani Israel without any hesitation; but whosoever tells a lie about me, let him prepare his place in Hell. (Al-Bukhari 3202)
We hope that more and more truth will come out about the life and teachings of Jesus – peace be upon him. We totally reject those who abuse his person with fiction and falsehood. We as Muslims should use this opportunity to inform others about the Islamic position about Jesus – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Ameen.
(Khutbah at ISOC – Rabi’ al-Thani 21, 1427/ May 19, 2006)

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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